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Maureen Ward

Offaly

Maureen Ward was born in Galway, but has lived in Offaly for the last thirty years . She is the only Traveller Foster Carer trained and approved by TUSLA in the Midlands.

She is a tireless advocate for the Traveller community across the Midlands and beyond, having travelled as far as Brussels and Africa to promote best-practice policies that respect the cultural heritage of all Travellers.

During Traveller Pride Week in 2024, Maureen was presented with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for more than 40 years of voluntary and paid work as a human rights activist. Maureen also volunteered numerous times in the Irish Centre in Fatima.

The Irish political system is radically broken



In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.



Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.



Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.




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